While Soleimani was touring Syria, the Iranian Foreign minister Javad Zarif, began his tour of Asian countries, advancing Iran’s ‚smile diplomacy‘ and lecturing his hosts about the merits of peace and presenting Iran as the flag bearer in the struggle against terrorism and violence in the region.
For over three decades the Iranian regime has attempted to simultaneously push a charm offensive, presenting itself as a reliable partner for peace and stability in the region, while expanding its military presence and empowering the armed militias, who are the main source of sectarian violence and terrorism in the Middle East. This dual policy has helped Iran to advance its strategic goals and overcome external and internal challenges. (…)
But Obama’s calculation that a more conciliatory policy with Iran and the lifting of sanctions would moderate the regime proved to be delusionary. In fact, Iran has become more aggressive in pursuing its radical agenda in the region. It has accelerated its missile program, increased its military support to its proxies across the Middle East including the Yemeni rebels, who are firing Iranian missiles at neighboring states. Iran has expanded its military involvement in Syria, supported the slaughter of the Syrian people, while taking American hostages and provoking US ships in the Persian Gulf. (…)
The battle for Aleppo and the Iranian military involvement across the Middle East reveal the real nature of Iranian foreign policy and expose the deceptive nature of Rowhani and Zarif’s ‚smile diplomacy‘.“ (Hassan Dai: „Iran’s smile diplomacy“)
